#26 - Get Up, Go to Work, Go Home, Go to Bed, Get Up, Go to Work, Go Home, Go to Bed, Get Up...
We're in a distinct routine, that is for sure. (raise your hand if that title made you start chanting...) It goes something like this:
1. Wake up, go to school (kids), work (matt), various life responsibilities (me)
2. Come home to make dinner (me) or eat dinner (them).
3. Tinker (matt and/or me. mostly matt) or Do Homework
4. Go to Bed.
REPEAT!
There have also been a smattering of other things...like snow days and delays, doctors appointments, birthdays (the girls), BABY NEPHEWS BEING BORN (1/30 at 1:31. See what he did there?!), music lessons, new ukuleles x 3, Christmas in January celebrations, etc. etc.
(This is the first cousin the kids have on my side of the family. So, this BABY nephew is days old. And the kids' oldest cousin/our oldest nephew is on Matt's side of the family, and he's 18 TODAY. He was born 2/2/2000. See what he did there?!? I love number connections. Like, our anniversary is 12/06/03...see that ... ? I digress...)
Besides all the other typical life events, we've been plugging along on the house, trying to stay warm during the ridiculously cold portion of early January and keep the process moving along.
We're staying ever warmer now because the new furnace is completely installed and running in the entire house and the old one is GONE. Last night, it was removed from the current utility room in the kitchen, taken to the end of our driveway, and some lucky winner is the new owner of a big hunk of scrap metal OR a new furnace that we really hope they install correctly. It was gone within hours. Maybe even minutes.
The upstairs is almost complete! "All" that's left is to caulk and fill nail holes on the trim, install some latches on the little cubby doors, do some paint touch up, install a closet door, install bathroom trim and bathroom toilet.
Since my last update, the carpeting and trim have been installed in the bedroom and the bathroom is near completion.
There's always a thought process that goes with all of these decisions that we make. Initially, before a budget even came into play, I envisioned a very lavish guest bath With pretty tile surrounding the bathtub and pretty tile on the floor. We weren't far into the process at all, so of course my brain conjured up the ideal bathroom. However, as we worked through the process and had more conversations about all of the things we'll need to complete this project, and how much money it would take to overall, it became clear that not every single detail needs to be a dream come true. It's all going to be new and fresh and useful that's what makes it nice.
I can quickly get myself into this crazy cycle of reading too many home decorating blogs (I LOVE THEM), and watching too much HGTV (actually, it's a GOOD thing we do not have cable because I can only watch it at the drs. office.), and spending too much time at stores that have such pretty things! And wanting all of those pretty things. If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times that I love pretty things. BUT, I do not have to own all of the pretty things. Contentment is not found in the pretty things.
When my kids were tiny, I used to take them through the toy aisle at the store specifically for training purposes. I would let them touch and hold and play with whatever toys looked appealing to them. And then we'd put them back on the shelf. I started really, really young. I wanted them to get used to seeing things that they could not own. As I made them put the toys back on the shelf, I would chat with them about how we can enjoy things without owning them, how neat it is that someone came up with the idea for that amazing toy, how some other kids will come along and get to play with that toy too, and how we don't always get what we want. At one point, when they were older, we actually met up with friends frequently at Target, ate a snack from their snack bar, and went to check out, play with and not buy all the new toys in the toy aisle.
My life lessons for the kids are lost on me though. I keep finding myself on the ground kicking my feet and not realizing that I'm making a scene in the middle of Home Goods when I see a rug I want but can't buy yet. And if there's no temper tantrum, my brain is working overtime trying to figure out how to win a Donut Eating Contest so I can buy $10,000 worth of tile without blowing our construction budget right out our newly installed windows! (slight sarcasm there. In case it doesn't come thru over the internet. I haven't actually had any tantrums ... in public.) Initially, my dream brain went to the best of the best and the coolest of the cool. But, again, practically has to win. There's really no other option if we're going to be mature and responsible with our funds.
So what does this have to do with the guest bathroom?
Well, we didn't install a tile floor. We opted for a wood-look vinyl instead. We purchased a fiberglass one-piece tub instead of a cast iron tub and tile walls. We used a craigslist vanity, a clearance mirror, and sconces from the pottery barn outlet. We paid full price for the exhaust fan and the sink. (By the way, paying for non-pretty components like fans is annoying.) I saw that sink close to the beginning and LOVED it. It was around $200. We could've bought a cheaper one, or waited for it to go on sale or to be sold by a back alley salesguy on craigslist, but since we saved on the other fixtures, it was an easy decision to buy this off the shelf, since it's not even that expensive at full price. A sink that's a little more fancy for a little more money is worth the expense. So, is this bathroom going to be featured in Better Homes and Gardens? I doubt it. But, that's not my life goal anyway. My life goal is to have a separate bathroom for overnight guests to use so when they're away from home, they'll have a nice relaxing space to call their own. I think this'll do the job!
Here's the bathroom almost finished! It needs some trim and a toilet (which we already have. Purchased in a dark creepy location.)
We had the carpeting installed in one day, and it made a huge difference! It's coming together upstairs! Even though we haven't been officially granted occupancy, we are definitely using the space. The kids go up there quite a bit. The night after carpet was installed, there were FIVE children upstairs playing a LOUD game of marco polo, and downstairs ... in my kitchen ... and my living room...it was total and complete PEACE. This is why we're blowing the big bucks, my friends. For peace and tranquility and toilets to hold our sledding gear.
So, that's that. It's time for step 4 of our daily routine, so I'm signing off for the night! Have a wonderful weekend!
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
1. Wake up, go to school (kids), work (matt), various life responsibilities (me)
2. Come home to make dinner (me) or eat dinner (them).
3. Tinker (matt and/or me. mostly matt) or Do Homework
4. Go to Bed.
 |
| Prepping the trim for upstairs prior to carpet installation |
REPEAT!
There have also been a smattering of other things...like snow days and delays, doctors appointments, birthdays (the girls), BABY NEPHEWS BEING BORN (1/30 at 1:31. See what he did there?!), music lessons, new ukuleles x 3, Christmas in January celebrations, etc. etc.
(This is the first cousin the kids have on my side of the family. So, this BABY nephew is days old. And the kids' oldest cousin/our oldest nephew is on Matt's side of the family, and he's 18 TODAY. He was born 2/2/2000. See what he did there?!? I love number connections. Like, our anniversary is 12/06/03...see that ... ? I digress...)
Besides all the other typical life events, we've been plugging along on the house, trying to stay warm during the ridiculously cold portion of early January and keep the process moving along.
We're staying ever warmer now because the new furnace is completely installed and running in the entire house and the old one is GONE. Last night, it was removed from the current utility room in the kitchen, taken to the end of our driveway, and some lucky winner is the new owner of a big hunk of scrap metal OR a new furnace that we really hope they install correctly. It was gone within hours. Maybe even minutes.
 |
| The new water heater (left) and furnace (right) |
The upstairs is almost complete! "All" that's left is to caulk and fill nail holes on the trim, install some latches on the little cubby doors, do some paint touch up, install a closet door, install bathroom trim and bathroom toilet.
Since my last update, the carpeting and trim have been installed in the bedroom and the bathroom is near completion.
There's always a thought process that goes with all of these decisions that we make. Initially, before a budget even came into play, I envisioned a very lavish guest bath With pretty tile surrounding the bathtub and pretty tile on the floor. We weren't far into the process at all, so of course my brain conjured up the ideal bathroom. However, as we worked through the process and had more conversations about all of the things we'll need to complete this project, and how much money it would take to overall, it became clear that not every single detail needs to be a dream come true. It's all going to be new and fresh and useful that's what makes it nice.
I can quickly get myself into this crazy cycle of reading too many home decorating blogs (I LOVE THEM), and watching too much HGTV (actually, it's a GOOD thing we do not have cable because I can only watch it at the drs. office.), and spending too much time at stores that have such pretty things! And wanting all of those pretty things. If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times that I love pretty things. BUT, I do not have to own all of the pretty things. Contentment is not found in the pretty things.
When my kids were tiny, I used to take them through the toy aisle at the store specifically for training purposes. I would let them touch and hold and play with whatever toys looked appealing to them. And then we'd put them back on the shelf. I started really, really young. I wanted them to get used to seeing things that they could not own. As I made them put the toys back on the shelf, I would chat with them about how we can enjoy things without owning them, how neat it is that someone came up with the idea for that amazing toy, how some other kids will come along and get to play with that toy too, and how we don't always get what we want. At one point, when they were older, we actually met up with friends frequently at Target, ate a snack from their snack bar, and went to check out, play with and not buy all the new toys in the toy aisle.
My life lessons for the kids are lost on me though. I keep finding myself on the ground kicking my feet and not realizing that I'm making a scene in the middle of Home Goods when I see a rug I want but can't buy yet. And if there's no temper tantrum, my brain is working overtime trying to figure out how to win a Donut Eating Contest so I can buy $10,000 worth of tile without blowing our construction budget right out our newly installed windows! (slight sarcasm there. In case it doesn't come thru over the internet. I haven't actually had any tantrums ... in public.) Initially, my dream brain went to the best of the best and the coolest of the cool. But, again, practically has to win. There's really no other option if we're going to be mature and responsible with our funds.
So what does this have to do with the guest bathroom?
Well, we didn't install a tile floor. We opted for a wood-look vinyl instead. We purchased a fiberglass one-piece tub instead of a cast iron tub and tile walls. We used a craigslist vanity, a clearance mirror, and sconces from the pottery barn outlet. We paid full price for the exhaust fan and the sink. (By the way, paying for non-pretty components like fans is annoying.) I saw that sink close to the beginning and LOVED it. It was around $200. We could've bought a cheaper one, or waited for it to go on sale or to be sold by a back alley salesguy on craigslist, but since we saved on the other fixtures, it was an easy decision to buy this off the shelf, since it's not even that expensive at full price. A sink that's a little more fancy for a little more money is worth the expense. So, is this bathroom going to be featured in Better Homes and Gardens? I doubt it. But, that's not my life goal anyway. My life goal is to have a separate bathroom for overnight guests to use so when they're away from home, they'll have a nice relaxing space to call their own. I think this'll do the job!
Here's the bathroom almost finished! It needs some trim and a toilet (which we already have. Purchased in a dark creepy location.)
 |
| This picture gives the best representation of wall color. It's difficult to get good enough lighting in there to capture accurate colors. The sink top isn't as pink as it looks though. It's more white/cream/grey. |
 |
| I chauffeured these guys around for a couple days, and realized on the day that we went sledding that we have reached a new level of redneck when we tossed our sled atop our ter-let. |
We had the carpeting installed in one day, and it made a huge difference! It's coming together upstairs! Even though we haven't been officially granted occupancy, we are definitely using the space. The kids go up there quite a bit. The night after carpet was installed, there were FIVE children upstairs playing a LOUD game of marco polo, and downstairs ... in my kitchen ... and my living room...it was total and complete PEACE. This is why we're blowing the big bucks, my friends. For peace and tranquility and toilets to hold our sledding gear.
|
| Ready for carpet! |
 |
| Carpeted! |
 |
| Real-time photo from today. |
 |
| The attic doors we found at the itchy antique mall |
 |
| Freshly painted hinges on those attic doors. |
The electrician and HVAC crew have almost completed everything. And soon, the plumber will come finish the majority of his work. He'll install the water heater, toilets and faucets and also switch over the old water line to the new water line. Once the water is switched over, we can start up the radiant heat system in the floors. The water heater has to be running for that. We can't install flooring downstairs until the slab is brought to the proper temperature from the radiant heat system.
So, that's that. It's time for step 4 of our daily routine, so I'm signing off for the night! Have a wonderful weekend!
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
I absolutely love reading your posts. I will miss them when this project is all done. I hope you move on to another blog about something else. I love the sled on top the ter-let, I laughed and laughed. I needed that it has been a very dreary.lonely day. Love you.
ReplyDeleteOh and thanks for the great job on "my" room. :) :)
ReplyDelete